Ford is taking its Telogis-powered factory telematics system to a global audience in a rebranding of the existing Crew Chief platform, Ford announced on the eve of NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.

Ford is putting 8,000 of its workers through an intensive training program to ensure everyone knows how to work with the new materials, such as aluminum panels,in the 2015 F-150 full-size pickup at its Kansas City Assembly Plant.

Ford has begun taking orders for its Transit Connect taxi, which has been purpose-built for Hong Kong, where taxis are a primary means of transportation for seven million residents and more than 54 million annual visitors.

Barrick Gold Corp. has begun acquiring Ford's aluminum-body 2015 F-150 pickup trucks for its Nevada gold mining operation. Barrick has placed an initial order for 35 leased pickups and plans to eventually add several hundred to its work truck fleet.